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Cargo Space and Storage Rating:

The CX-9’s smaller measurements mean real-world limitations. We managed to fit just two of our carry-on suitcases behind the Mazda’s third row, which is only a third of what the Ford Explorer could muster. The CX-9’s second and third rows of seats fold easily for quick configuration changes, though, and the resultant load floor is flat, making it easy to load bulky items.

What’s New for 2018?

Without changing the shape and interior, there’s no way to increase the CX-9’s cargo capacity; that’s a shame, because lack of cargo room is one of the few shortcomings in this three-row family crossover.

2017 Mazda CX-9

Carry-On Luggage

We use carry-on-luggage-size boxes to measure cargo capacity with all seats up as well as with second or third row seats folded, if possible.

Test Results: Carry-On Luggage

The CX-9’s second row is available only as a 60/40 split-folding bench seat, so buyers looking for second-row captain’s chairs will find them in the Dodge Durango or the GMC Acadia. The seats do fold out of the way for access to the third row, and this is done in one step; however, the seats are heavy, so some users (especially younger children) may struggle. The third row is a 50/50 split-folding bench, which easily flips into the floor to create a completely flat area for cargo.

Cargo Configurations

First Row; fold-flat passenger seat

Second Row

Third Row

2016 Mazda CX-9

No

60/40

50/50

Lift-Over Height

Our 6’ tester loads a standard piece of carry-on luggage into the cargo compartment to demonstrate the lift-over height of the vehicle.

Cargo Volume Comparisons

Maximum cargo volume with both the second- and third-row seats stowed is 71 cubic feet. That’s on the small side of the third-row-crossover spectrum—the Chevrolet Traverse dwarfs the rest with a 99-cubic-foot maximum.

Interior Cubby Storage

Where the Mazda does have an edge is interior cubby storage, but it should be noted that the majority of this storage surplus is under the cargo floor. Using our trusty ping-pong balls, we filled the CX-9’s cubbies and bins and counted 1466 when all was said and done. The Toyota Highlander takes the ping-pong-ball trophy with space for 1588 balls, and a large portion of those fit in the handy center-console bin between the first-row seats.

Why do we use ping-pong balls?

To determine the interior space available to stash travel essentials, we've devised a range of measuring protocols. We use six beverage containers ranging in size and shape to gauge cupholder accommodation. We stack, stuff, and arrange 9-by-14-by-22-inch cardboard boxes to quantify the number of airline-carry-on-size suitcases that will fit in a trunk or folded seat's cargo space. To measure irregularly shaped gloveboxes, door pockets, and console bins, we fill each container with 1.5-inch-diameter ping-pong balls. It's tempting to convert the number of spheres to a volume (cubic inches), but we resist that calculation because—as with the box of tissues, 12-ounce can of soda, or gallon of milk you might stash in these compartments—there are voids between the balls. Random packing (our procedure) nullifies approximately one-third of the available space. The negative space between the balls could theoretically be reduced to 25 percent of an irregular shape with precise stacking, but while we might be pedantic, we're not crazy.